Compressor clip for hydraulic valve tappets



June 30, 1953 T. H. WRIGHT COMPRESSOR CLIP FOR HYDRAULIC VALVE TAPPETS Filed March 27, 1951 FIG. 4.

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INVENTOR. THOMAS H. WRl GHT, BY

Arnmwsr Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COlVIPRESSOR-CLIP FOR HYDRAULIC VALVE TAPPETS 1 Claim.

My invention relates to the art of internal combustion engines and has particular reference to a hydraulic valve tappet compressor for use in the assembling of the tappets upon the engine.

In a particular type of vehicle engine employing hydraulic valve tappets, it has been extremely difiicult to assemble the sever-a1 valve tappets in the conventional tappet block, since these tappets must be assembled in agroup, usually four in number, in a tappet block prior to positioning in actuating order beneath the valve stems and overlying the conventional tappet cams. Hydraulic valve tappets embody a tappet cylinder in which a hydraulic plunger operates, with the plunger head projecting above the tappet cylinder and urged upwardly by a compressible spring. Further, in order to prevent the tappet cylinder from dropping out of the block, a lock ring has been provided adjacent its upper end and this ring prevents the cylinder from dropping downwardly after the cylinder has been inserted through the block. After the several tappets have been assembled in the block, it becomes necessary to engage the several piston heads under the valve stems and, to do this, it is necessary to depress the pistons to provide adequate clearance. This operation has been extremely difficult and requires considerable valuable time. The present invention contemplates novel clip devices for engagement with the tappets after they have been assembled in the block and which act to retain the several hydraulic pistons in depressed position during the installation of the assembled tappet block whereby the several piston heads are retained in suitable clearance with the ends of the valve stems and thus greatly facilitating this operation.

The invention further contemplates the novel clip devices, usually four in number, since there are usually four tappets to a block, and suitably connected by a flexible member and, since the tappets are usually assembled in their respective block prior to installation, the several clips are engaged with their respective tappets and tappet plunger heads and will retain the tappets in such depressed position until the block has been firmly bolted in place. The flexible connection between the several clips is to insure against separation and loss and further, to prevent either of the clips from being accidently disengaged and possibly fall within the crankcase of the engine.

Novel features of construction and operation of the clips will be more clearly described in detail in the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated a preferred example thereof and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a group of hydraulic valve tappets showing the clips engaged therewith from the outer side,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof,

Figure Sis a view at right angle to Figure 1, showing the clip in a position for engagement with the tappet,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, with the clip engaged,

Figure 5 is an inner side elevation of the tappet with the clip engaged,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one clip and,

Figure 7 is a section taken on line 7-1 of Figure 6.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates a conventional tappet block, in dotted lines and 6 indicates as a whole, the individual tappets. Each tappet, of conventional construction, embodies a cylindrical tappet body 1 having a cam engaging lower face 8. The tappet body I partakes of vertical reciprocatory motion in suitable openings in the block 5. The body 1 projects above and below the block and adjacent the upper end, the body is circumferentially grooved for the reception of a split ring 9, employed to prevent the tappet from dropping out of the block after assembly and prior to installation of the block upon the engine. The body 1 carries the usual hydraulic piston having a head portion I0, that is normally urged upwardly to its maximum limit of travel, by a compressible spring H. The valve tappets and the tappet blocks are of usual and well known construction.

In reconditioning and assembling of the valves and tappets, the blocks 5 are first removed and the tappets withdrawn after first removing the split ring 9. In reassembling, the several tappets are first assembled and then inserted in their respective openings of the blocks 5, after which the rings 9 are snapped in place to prevent the tappets from dropping out. In order to install the block with its assembled tappets, it is necessary to first compress the heads it against the tension of the springs II in order for the heads to freely pass beneath the ends of the valve stems. To accomplish this with a minimum of effort and whereby all the tappets in the particular group are simultaneously depressed, clip devices 12, indicated as a whole, are engaged with each individual tappet, Each clip device embodies a head 13 and a pair of spaced and parallel arms l4, connected by an end wall [5. The underside of the head I3 is recessed at I6 for seating engagement over the head ID of the tappet, while the upper side of the head I3 is inclined upwardly and rearwardly to form a relatively thin forward edge for the width of the recess and to facilitate its engagement under the valve stems. The forward edge of the head is relatively thin, as shown, with the sides relatively thick to impart adequate strength to the device. The arms I4 form a rearwardly curved opening I1, having a diameter calculated to snugly embrace the diameter of the body I of the tappet beneath the snap ring 9. The clip is formed of suitable rigid metal calculated to withstand the upward pressure of the spring ll without flexing. The outer surface of the wall l5 of each clip, is provided with an eye I8, having connection with a common connector I9, such as a chain, whereby the required number of clips for a particular block are retained together a ainst loss.

In the use of the device, assuming that the several tappets have been arranged in the block and their several snap rings 9 have been installed, each tappet i forced upwardly as far as it will go and the operator then compresses the head l0 and slips the clip thereon, with the head l3 overlying the head If) and the head l0 seated within the recess l6. In this position, the arms [4 have embraced the body of the tappet I beneath the ring 9 and since the engagement of the arms is a snug one, the ring 9 will prevent upward movement of the clip due to the contact with the arms 14. The head [0 may then be released and the clip will maintain the tappet piston in the compressed position. After each of the tappets have been compressed, the operator installs the block in the usual manner and after installation, the several clips are withdrawn, permitting the tap et pistons to rise and engage the valve stems. Should either of the clips become disengaged during the installation of the block, it will be held against possibly falling within the crank- Case, by the connector l9.

It will be apparent from the fOregOing, that a very novel and highly efiicient compressor clip has been provided. The structure is simple, is easily installed and removed, is cheap to manufacture and results in a considerable saving of time in the usual valve reconditioning and reassembly job.

It is to be understood, that changes in the device may be made as readily fall within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A compressor clip for retaining a hydraulic valve tappet in compressed position, that includes a U-shaped body having a vertical wall that terminates at its upper end in a right angle head portion that is arcuately recessed in its inner face, the recess having a flat bottom the recess opening through the forward free end of the head, the forward edge of the head for the width of the recess being relatively thin, the upper face of the head portion being inclined upwardly and rearwardly, the wall at its lower end terminating in a pair of spaced apart and right angularly disposed arms for forming a rearwardly curved socket to receive the tappet, the head portion and the arms being rigid in spaced relation.

THOMAS H. WRIGHT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

